Hull FC (18) 24
Tries: Yeaman 3, Briscoe
Goals: Tickle 4
St Helens (4) 24
Tries: Foster, Roby, Gardner, Puletua
Goals: Foster 4
Hull centre Yeaman has now crossed the whitewash 14 times this season |
Super League’s top try scorer Kirk Yeaman ran in the fifth hat-trick of his Hull FC career.
But the Black and Whites had to settle for a 24-24 draw after throwing away an 18-0 lead at the KC Stadium.
After two first-half tries from Yeaman and one for Tom Briscoe, Jamie Foster replied for Saints before the break.
But, after James Roby, Ade Gardner and Tony Puletua put Saints ahead, Yeaman replied by completing his treble before Foster’s late penalty earned a draw.
Bath-bound soon-to-be rugby union convert Kyle Eastmond was recalled as a result of Saints’ injury troubles, especially at half-back, where they are without Jonny Lomax, Scott Moore, Lee Gaskell, Leon Pryce and Gary Wheeler.
But, despite having the England international back after missing Saints’ last seven matches, the injury-hit visitors wasted their chance to return to the top.
In the tightest title race in years, which has already seen the leadership change hands 17 times, Saints now stand third – in a four-team group which also includes leaders Warrington, Huddersfield and fourth-placed Wigan all tied on 18 points.
But Hull, who stay eighth, were equally frustrated at not completing a third straight win, after last weekend’s Easter double, having got out of the traps fastest, going 18-0 up inside the first half an hour.
Stand-in Saints full-back Tom Armstong’s spill proved costly when the Black and Whites went in front on 10 minutes.
Armstrong’s error set up the attacking platform from which Willie Manu’s one-hand offload freed home centre Yeaman to stroll in for his 12th try of the season.
That took him clear again as Super League’s top scorer. And Hull looked in the clear too when they struck twice more.
Straight from a play-the-ball, Briscoe weaved his way in from the left wing for a brilliant solo effort, an eighth try in 13 games this season for the 21-year-old England international.
Then Yeaman struck again, Danny Tickle adding his third conversion.
But Saints had hope four minutes before the break when, after having one near miss chalked off when he was adjudged to have received a forward pass, Foster went in at the left corner.
Foster missed the touchline kick, for an 18-4 half-time scoreline. But, 10 minutes into the second half, Saints suddenly found the key to unlocking the Hull defence.
Hooker Roby sneaked under the posts, Foster duly adding the extras. Then, just five minutes later, Eastmond’s superb pass created the space for Gardner to go in at the right corner.
And Puletua completed their burst of three tries in nine minutes, Foster once again converting to put his side 22-18 up.
Manu had one effort chalked off before Yeaman crossed to complete his hat-trick, Tickle’s kick putting Hull back in front at 24-22 with just six minutes left.
But, within two minutes, referee Steve Ganson gave a controversial call, adjudging a high challenge on Saints debutant Nathan Ashe – and Foster held his nerve to slot the resulting penalty from 45 metres.
Even then, there was one last chance for both sides to snatch it, Tickle and Eastmond both having a go at drop-goals.
But, for the second time this season, just as with Saints’ previous draw – the season-opening 16-16 thriller against Wigan at the Millennium Stadium in February – Eastmond was left frustrated with a drop-goal attempt.
While Tickle’s barely left the ground, Eastmond’s effort was charged down.
Hull FC: Whiting; Sharp, Gleeson, Yeaman, T Briscoe; Horne, Obst; O’Meley, Houghton, Moa, Manu, Tickle, Fitzgibbon.
Replacements: Washbrook, Westerman, Dowes, Lauaki.
St Helens: Armstrong; Gardner, Shenton, Meli, Foster; Wilkin, Eastmond; Graham, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Ashurst, Soliola, Puletua.
Replacements: Magennis, Dixon, Perry, Ashe.
Attendance: 11,933.
Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens).
